The Dobson family began farming in the scenic Ottawa Valley in the 1830s. The current farm location, in the upper Ottawa Valley was established by Robert Dobson’s great-great grandfather in the year 1857. Cattle have grazed this land continuously since then. Robert has operated the farm for the past 30 plus years and has implemented many innovative environmental protection projects. Planting trees and wildlife shrubs, enhancing wildlife habitat and installing bird boxes has been continuing annually for many years. We have a number of water protection/alternative livestock watering sites on our farm. This leads to healthier cattle and a very diverse population of wildlife. For the years 2012 and 2013 we will assist in a provincial research project to study the Bobolink (an endangered species grassland bird). It is thought that livestock farms, mostly beef farms with cattle grazing may be the best chance for this bird and other grassland species to survive.
Interns on our farm will get a diverse experience in all aspects of the grassfed beef farm operation, from what contributes to keeping beef cattle healthy and contented to marketing healthy organic grassfed beef. We sell our beef at two Ottawa Farmers Markets, online through the Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative (http://www.ottawavalleyfood.org) and at the farm gate. Interns will help building fences, harvest hay, construct environmental protection projects, intensive pasture management practices, organic weed control, humane handling and low stress handling of the cattle plus much more. We also grow and sell raspberries at the farmers markets in addition to elderberries and elderberry products. Elderberries are one of the healthiest berries. There will also be some experience working in the small house vegetable garden. We also raise and sell pastured poultry. We are members of and participate with the Canadian Organic Growers Ottawa with tours to our farm and have been a partner in their Feast of Fields Festival every year for the past 5 years.
Interns on our farm will get a diverse experience in all aspects of the grassfed beef farm operation, from what contributes to keeping beef cattle healthy and contented to marketing healthy organic grassfed beef. We sell our beef at two Ottawa Farmers Markets, online through the Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative (http://www.ottawavalleyfood.org) and at the farm gate. Interns will help building fences, harvest hay, construct environmental protection projects, intensive pasture management practices, organic weed control, humane handling and low stress handling of the cattle plus much more. We also grow and sell raspberries at the farmers markets in addition to elderberries and elderberry products. Elderberries are one of the healthiest berries. There will also be some experience working in the small house vegetable garden. We also raise and sell pastured poultry. We are members of and participate with the Canadian Organic Growers Ottawa with tours to our farm and have been a partner in their Feast of Fields Festival every year for the past 5 years.
We provide room and board in a large comfortable century old farmhouse, high speed internet and free long distance phone calls in North America. Interns can expect a stipend and to take their turn in the farm kitchen.
We normally host WWOOFers (http://www.wwoof.ca) over the summer period. They come from a number of countries around the world. This is a great cultural experience. We also host a few farm tours each year. They will range from our Ottawa customers wanting to learn how we produce their grassfed beef to a groups of farmers wanting to learn about our environmental projects.
Contact:
Robert Dobson
1907 Snake River Line,
Cobden Ontario K0J1K0
613-646-2488
http://www.dobsonfarm.com
